Drink Beer – Earn More

I’ll raise a beer to that A new study by economists Bethany Peters and Edward Stringham has found that those who drink socially earn 10% or more than than those who don’t. The study found that social drinking helped people with their “social capital” – anything from a person’s charisma to the number of people in their social network.

This, in turn, helped their salary. For example, the authors say what might happen is that if a person has more social and business contacts, it may be easier for them to find a new job. Social drinking may also strengthen relationships with their co-workers and/or clients which could ultimately increase their salary.

3 Responses to Drink Beer – Earn More

I agree with all of the authors’ suggestions as to why there is this correlation. But, I’d also add the fact that going to a bar at least once a month requires some extra income. You could also argue in the same way that owning a BMW causes you to have a higher income, when really your higher income allows you to AFFORD a BMW. People who have higher incomes can AFFORD going to a bar at least once a month. Now I realize drinking isn’t a luxury activity, and there many poor college students who go out drinking a lot even when they really can’t afford it, but I’ll bet this plays into it a little bit.